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player ready...A new exhibit titled “A Brush with Nature” is the showcase this summer for the Atrium Gallery at South Shore Arts featured at The Center for Visual and Performing Arts, 1040 Ridge Road in Munster now through Aug. 30. The exhibition brings together more than 20 paintings by Andrea Williams, Mark Vander Vinne, Carleen O’Connor Rivera, and Don Yang; artists who share a commitment to working directly from life, outdoors, in the tradition of the artist style known as “plein-air painting.” (The phrase en plein air is French for “in the open air.”) The works displayed share across a range of seasons, weather conditions and locations. The exhibit is free and open to the public, as is the artist’s reception with exhibiting artists from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, July 16, paired with an evening of artists’ micro-talks for the 83rd Annual Salon Show, My America, beginning at 7 p.m. For details, call 219-836-1839 or www.southshoreartsonline.org.
USA SONG SALUTE
Iconic wartime songs, patriotic favorites and American Songbook classics comprise an afternoon of nostalgic, uplifting and deeply patriotic music as Girls Like Us Celebrate USA’s 250th Anniversary in a special concert. At 3 p.m. Sunday, July 26, at Theatre at the Center in Munster, Girls Like Us entertainers Laura Freeman, Marianne Murphy Orland and Beckie Menzie return to the TATC stage after their 2023 sold-out performance. From the Andrews Sisters and Doris Day to Dinah Shore, the trio will showcase tunes like “Rocky Top,” “America the Beautiful” and “You’re a Grand Old Flag,” among others. Tickets are $35 with a special $30 rate for veterans, active military and first responders by calling the box office at 219-836-3255 or visiting www.TheatreAtTheCenter.com. For an additional $35, guests can add the Sunday Champagne Brunch, presented by 10Forty Banquets & Catering Inc., with pre-show seatings available for 11 a.m., noon or 1 p.m. Call for reservation and meal payment at 219-836-1930, Ext. 2.
DISNEY TALE
Based on the popular Disney Channel Original Movies series, “Disney’s Descendants: The Musical” is a new stage musical filled with comedy, adventure, Disney characters and hit songs from all of the popular film hits. It’s the summer run offering from LaPorte Little Theatre, 218 St. in LaPorte, opening July 16 and continuing through July 26. Imprisoned on the Isle of the Lost, the nefarious home of the most infamous Disney villains who ever lived, the cast of characters are the teenage children of Disney tale meanies like Maleficent, the Evil Queen, Jafar and Cruella De Vil, none of whom have ever ventured off the island until now. When the four troublemakers are sent to attend prep school alongside the children of beloved Disney heroes, they have to make the difficult choice to decide to be either good or bad. Tickets are $16 for students, $19 for seniors ages 55 and older, and $20 for adults by calling 219-362-5113 or visiting www.laportelittletheatreclub.com.
WELL-TRAVELED TUNES
The Northwest Indiana Symphony has announced a partnership to present the launch of PBS adventurer Rick Steves for his “Rick Steves’ Europe: A Symphonic Journey,” having its national premiere at Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana’s Hard Rock Live venue on Friday, Sept. 18, at 7 p.m., and paired as an option to attend the orchestra’s annual gala dinner prior with tickets on sale this week. Hosted at Hard Rock Northern Indiana, the orchestra will perform a selection of stirring 19th-century anthems by Romantic-era composers. The first nine pieces each feature a different nationality, while the finale, Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy” (Europe’s official anthem), will pay homage to the continent’s motto of “United in Diversity.” The concert is designed so each musical piece will be accompanied by beautiful video images from the public television series “Rick Steves’ Europe.” This concert launches The Northwest Indiana Symphony’s 85th season and boasts 75 rostered professional musicians under the leadership of Music Director and Conductor Kirk Muspratt. For tickets, call 219-836-0525 or visit www.hardrockcasinonorthernindiana.com.
Philip Potempa is a journalist, published author and radio show host on WJOB 1230 AM. He can be reached at [email protected].